Advantage of having your VP a leading Pilates expert and trainer? We get to post her amazing tips and tricks right here on the Hi-Spa Blog. Keep reading for new Hi-Spa Vice President Monique Jutila’s own Pilates for Runners mini regimen!
ARE YOU TRAINING FOR A RUNNING EVENT OR DO YOU RUN TO STAY FIT AND ACTIVE?
From competitive athletes to the occasional jogger, Pilates can help give that competitive edge, reduce the risk of injury and leave you feeling strong, tall, fit and fabulous!
Pilates is a series of mind-body exercises that uses dynamic movements to stretch, strengthen and balance the entire body, proving it to be an excellent choice for core conditioning for any athlete.
Like Pilates, running uses your body as an interconnected machine, with every muscle group working together. Injuries occur when a particular muscle group is weak or is not in sync with the others, causing the rest of the machine to make compensations elsewhere. It takes more than strong legs and lungs to be a good runner. Having a strong center is essential for balance, flexibility, breathing and endurance.
At Fluid Motion Maui, we have several Mat-based and Equipment-based classes that are great for improving your posture, balance and symmetry to help you become a better runner and stay injury free. better runner and stay injury free.
HERE ARE 5 GREAT MAT EXERCISES FOR RUNNERS:
Obliques (bicycle): Strengthens abdominals and hip flexors.
Shoulder bridge: Strengthens and gluts, hamstrings and challenges stability of the pelvis. Unilateral leg lifts challenge muscular strength, endurance and pelvic/torso stability.
Breast Stroke: Strengthen posterior muscles as the chest and anterior shoulder are stretched.
Spine Twist Seated: Strengthens obliques and improves spinal rotation.
Leg Pull Front (plank with calf stretch): Strengthens entire body and stretches calf muscle.
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Maui’s scenery is incomparable. The power of the combined elements—the water, the wind, and the land—come together to form an awe-inspiring, surreal experience of total unity. This connection we feel when surrounded by Hawaii’s nature, that energy and power, is called Mana. Mana, in Hawaiian belief, is the source of all power that exists in all the universe; all parts of nature, from humankind down to the tiniest plant and stone, has a spirit that can be connected to, and this spirit is our Mana.
When done properly, one’s Mana, and the Mana of another object, can even be harnessed and applied for all sorts of benefits. Since ancient times, civilizations have learned to utilize the Mana of crystals and gemstones to release mental, physical, and spiritual blockages throughout the body. Since Western medicine, such practices started to lose credibility, but now there is the growing realization that its possible for both traditional and Western practitioners to work together to improve well-being. In Hawaii, traditional healers are already a trusted source of health information, and still use stones to this day for healing treatments. Lava rocks are a big part of Hawaiian culture, and are used not only in lomi-lomi massage, but also for healing practices. The rocks can be heated and wrapped in ti leaves, then either placed on the body for sore spot treatment, tapped together to create vibrations, or used for exfoliation.
On Maui’s West side in the lava pools, are the unique green sparkling stones also used in Hawaiian energy work, known as Olivine crystals. These glittering green beauties are embedded into the porous lava rock of the pools, and also coat the surface of Big Island’s Green Sand Beach. These tiny gems are known as the happy tears of the fire goddess Pele, and people like to bathe in the infused ocean water with these exotic lava gems for their health and wellness properties.
To take it up a notch, there’s the incredible story of an ancient Lemurian civilization, believed to have sunk beneath the Pacific Ocean millennia past, and the volcanoes of Hawaii and other Polynesian Islands are really the tips of the ancient Lemurian Mountains, which are filled with the energy of the Lemurian seed crystals, aka quartz. Any way you look at it, the Hawaiian Islands are brimming with natural energy.
In stores all over Maui, you can find an incredible array of chakra balancing pendulums, heart-stones, stone massage tools, crystal infusions, along with tumbled, cut and polished crystals. Things like crystals, gold, and precious stones are no longer used just for jewelry. Hawaiian Spas are incorporating 24-karat gold, crushed pearls, rocks, and semi-precious stones into their treatments, utilizing the Mana and restorative energy properties of each. You can find a facial using diamonds and crushed pearls, massages with semi-precious gemstones, essential oils infused with local olivine stones, or a quartz crystal chakra balancing bodywork.
Maui is a wonderful treasure chest filled with sparkling, healing stones full of Mana, and the real fun is to going out to find them.
In history, spas were an integral part of the Roman, Greek and Egyptian eras. Ancient philosophies preach the importance of cleansing the mind, body and spirit through connecting with Mother Earth and the world’s energy through a multitude of practices, such as “Earthing,” which promotes direct contact with the earth’s electron-rich surface; by grounding the body to the earth’s surface, most commonly done walking barefoot, stabilizes natural electrical rhythms and reduces disease-causing inflammation. The ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks not only practiced Earthing, but also enjoyed hot and cold water treatments, followed by aromatic massages with fragrant oils, and had herbalists and apothecaries. Today, spa-going is not so different from how it was in the olden days; the secret is to focus on being preventative instead of being reactive.
The historic practice of Feng Shui, which originated in the mountains of China over seven thousand years ago, and the Ayurvedic traditional medicine of India, which originated over five thousand years ago, both emphasize reestablishing balance in the body through diet and exercise, and on the health of the mind, body, and spirit. There are still certain regions of the world where large quantities of the population still rely on traditional medicinal practices for most of their primary health needs. Due to these many examples along with overwhelming research, the modern day Spa Industry consistently utilizes not only older methods, but also revised, contemporary versions of the ancestor techniques. Spa trends also continue to utilize eco-friendly ingredients with real benefits, along with genuine ancient practices that leave you more enlightened coming out than when you went in.
The vigor of the Hotel Industry lounges in its ability to stay one step ahead of its patrons by anticipating their needs, and delivering the right amount of a unique environment with relaxation and feel-good benefits. Of all the trends in the Hotel Industry, however, none is more significant than the expansion of the Wellness Movement. The hotel spa and gym facilities have traditionally been considered mere amenities, so the emphasis now is on providing wellness-focused experiences, along with “wellness everywhere” environments for fitness-minded guests. Companies are launching new hotel brands themed entirely around the concept of health and wellness, while other major hotel chains are rebranding their properties to offer similar, health-oriented amenities.
A few of these health services include personalized spa menus, free fitness gear, wake up light therapy, air purification and aromatherapy, vitamin C-infused showers, and wellness videos. The increased emphasis on health and fitness underlines the importance of spas in hotels, and the spa’s value in attracting and serving hotel guests. As a result, corporations are beginning to expand their menu of services. Resorts with spas are starting to make their spa facilities easier for everyone to access, as their accommodations are no longer created for hotel guests only. These vast spa investments cannot rely solely on in-house patronage anymore, and are striving to target the different markets that are available within the area, such as residents, visitors, even guests in neighboring hotels.
Spa resorts offer escapism from our stressful reality, however the key to infuse wellness in our lives is by focusing on creating a “Spa Haven” in our own space, because in reality, a rare few of us have the time and the checkbook to come into the spa regularly. Spa living allows us to bridge the gap between our at-home care and our next spa visit. A few examples of re-creating the ambience that is found at high-end spas in your own home range from investing in color therapy showers, sound remedy programs, and home saunas, to diffusers, candles, and plush robes. Even simply researching wellness recipes and acquiring wholesome ingredients is an excellent start to begin your wellness journey.
The Spa Industry is the Wellness Movement, as it does not only educate and enlighten the consumer, but also carefully cradles the balance between ancient and modern healing therapies. Spas are integrating more ancient and authentic wellness traditions into their operations, including Roman and Turkish baths, Russian and Finnish saunas, and even the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda. The focus of the spa industry was about returning back to the basics, which demands simplicity and a chance to relax and let go completely. Spa goers want to choose authentic experiences unique to the spa location, and enjoy customized spa treatments that have been designed to tell a story, while honoring the host culture at the same time. In certain cases this goal creates a challenge for the spa, due to the resorts or hotels residing in remote and exotic places, as these unique locations often do not manufacture bath and body products that follow the expected quality guidelines of a high end spa.
The next best option, when it comes to these difficult situations, is to replicate local treatments with products that use popular local ingredients, but are made in other, more accommodating locations. Using this method, the company in need can guarantee the quality of the products, and still use the indigenous local teachings to create services that are inspired by the host culture. Even with the large volume of facilities incorporating these changes, the antique practices along with new and innovative wellness trends are creating challenges to hotel spas. In order to effectively integrate new practices into their operations, spas face the task of finding authentic certified providers that will exclusively work in their facility, while trying to figure out an acceptable pay structure. In essence, hotel and resort spas, specifically those in remote locations, deal with and handle a multitude of challenges just to achieve a high-end experience for their valuable customers.
In opposition to the more ancient services, other customers want flexibility to customize their needs at the time of the treatment, and a way to recreate these experiences into their everyday lives. In essence, most people are not willing to give up technology in order to slow down from their hectic lifestyles. The modern day individual would love to have an iPad underneath the face-cradle while getting a massage to watch the latest sports, news, or television shows. Due to these new, contemporary needs, spas are now being influenced to use technology to enhance the spa experience with cutting-edge relaxation appliances. The newest resort spas are featuring amenities such as color therapy tubs and rainbow light rain showers. Color therapy is an area of holistic healing which uses color in an attempt to affect mood, emotions, and even health. These color therapy shower-heads provide illumination via changing lights in the shower-head itself, and the settings go from a gentle, rain-like spray to a vigorous downpour. Customers can actually purchase these shower-heads and transform one’s home shower into a multi-sensory experience.
Spas are not the only organizations to begin using futuristic therapeutic methods. Suppliers of wellness programs have been influenced by the Spa Industry’s drive to achieve ultimate customer wellness satisfaction, and are using the healing power of sound to relieve stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and addiction. These programs utilize audio vibrations embedded into multi-layered sound technology. Sound therapy can also be used to promote weight loss, chronic pain relief, smoking cessation, and mind-body regeneration through meditation. Customers can then purchase the audio programs, which are available as audio- download USB cards or MP3 downloads.
After looking at the growth the Spa Industry has had through the Hotel Industry, and how not only has the Wellness Movement matured through the spa itself but has begun to influence people and other organizations, I believe that resorts and hotels are leading the Wellness Movement because of the understanding that wellness has reached far beyond pampering. Wellness is graceful longevity that can be an attainable goal with many affordable products, classes and wellness options. More and more people are adopting the spa philosophy as a lifestyle, and health and wellness services are readily available to visitors beyond the basic spa services that are expected to be featured in a resort spa. Hotels and resorts are creating educational opportunities, via their specific wellness industry, for visitors interested in learning traditional healing practices by providing a venue where wellness seekers can easily find what they are looking for. With the current wellness craze turning into what is beginning to look like a permanent way of life, spas have become an essential component of the high-end resort hotel experience.
We’re excited to share that UCI Division of Continuing Education hosts webinars for the Spa and Wellness Management Certificate Program that are free and open to the public. In addition to learning about the certificate program, participants will hear from experts in the industry as they address current topics and research.
An upcoming webinar that is now open for registration!
Diagnose Your Spa and Wellness Experience Through 7 Senses
Improve the level of the spa and wellness experience you are providing your guests. This webinar will teach you how to analyze the experience you are offering by applying the seven senses that define the quality and level of your spa. Please join UCI Division of Continuing Education in welcoming Diana F. Mestre from Mestre & Mestre Spa & Wellness Consulting as she presents the sense of arrival, sense of place, sense of flow, sense of awe, sense of departure, sense of connection and sense of identity. A simple tool that will bring a new awareness to create an impeccable, unforgettable and memorable wellness experience. The webinar will also include pre-registration advisement for individuals interested in UCI DCE’s fully online Spa and Wellness Management Certificate Program.
When: March 4, 2019 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST
To register, please click here. Even if you cannot attend the live session, you will receive a recording of the webinar if you register. We encourage you to spread the word about these webinars to your employees and network.
nother powerhouse joined the club last month and we couldn’t be more excited! We want to give our warmest welcome to Circadia and their whole team; we’re glad you hopped on board!
We asked their representative Lu Marquez-Costigan to give us a brief overview of their company, so read below to learn more about your newest Hi-Spa Member.
Circadia is a professional skincare brand based on the skin and body’s natural circadian rhythms. Chronobiology, the science of defending skin from environmental damage during the day, and stimulating internal repair mechanisms during sleep is at the core of our concept.
Circadia’s formulations combine pure botanicals, stem cells, second generation vitamins, and innovative peptide technology to achieve optimal skin health and beauty. Our specialty treatment products utilize these technologies to address a multitude of skin conditions, including aging, acne, dehydration, pigmentation, and rosacea.
The corporate headquarters are established in the roiling hills of rural Pennsylvania where founder Dr. Pugliese began his medical practice and early research on the physiology of human Skin. Circadia by Dr. Pugliese has a rich history and bright future. Dr. Peter T. Pugliese, age 91, remains a strong, influential voice in the science of aging. Michael Q. Pugliese, 3rd generation CEO has earned a distinguished reputation as an educator in the field of skin science, and an innovator in product development. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to achieve international recognition and distribution.
And a quick peak of what new items Circadia is bringing to the table. Thanks for joining the team Circadia, and if you’re curious click HERE to learn more about this amazing brand.
**The following content is from Rosa Say’s weekly newsletter**
Aloha mai kākou, Let’s talk story. This week… there are choices to be made, and new habits to be forged in our lessons with social distancing and sheltering at home. There is also much good to be found!
“This will be the end of Twitter if outbreaks of courtesy like this don’t stop.” —Tom Nichols, when a disagreement broke through to more clarity and understanding.
The phrase “life comes at you fast” has settled into the forefront of my awareness this week; you too? I’ve also counted the blessing of our value of the month practice once again, in how serendipitous it can be; if there was ever a time to dwell on ‘Imi ola choices with “Seeking your best possible life,” surely, this is it!
I’ve never before thought of myself as an “elder at risk” or as ‘non-essential’ yet here we are! Here in the Say household, I’m on day 22 sheltering in place voluntarily; my last ‘business as usual’ outing was on February 26th, a Wednesday. By the time the week ended every one of my future business engagements had been canceled, and understandably so—I initiated the calls to any clients I’d not yet heard from. Yesterday was day 1 for my husband, as the day his employer trimmed his normally full-time schedule to an on-call (and unlikely) one. His personal ramifications aside, he is one who feels his employer, a hotelier, should be closing their doors completely for the best welfare of all… we’ve been amazed by the number of wealthier travelers who selfishly, callously – and erroneously – feel they can somehow escape the pandemic here in Hawai‘i given our location as the remotest inhabited place on earth, expecting others to serve them without disruption or any inconvenience.
According the New York Times, a new study suggests that the coronavirus is “hiding in plain sight,” and that for every known case of Covid19, another 7 to 10 cases are “out there” undetected. Please, please follow the hygienic requirements and social distancing recommendations now shared to keep yourself healthy as we ride out the evolution of this novel virus. It’s the most generous, giving thing each individual can do, for in a ‘novel virus’ we have not gone through a cycle of responding biologically with our own human immunity. For now, and perhaps forevermore, everyone must think of themselves as an easily crossed bridge to someone who is more vulnerable.
Habits are powerful – think of them as human magic. Lifestyle adjustments and habit changes can be challenging, yet this is also a time to ask yourself, “Should this be a change I keep forevermore?” each time you encounter a silver lining, such as new standards of cleanliness, polite social distancing, and other Kākou behaviors. Learn from history, and let past accomplishments inspire you: From the Washington Post: During a pandemic, Isaac Newton had to work from home, too. He used the time wisely.
Silver Linings
Adversity does 2 things for us: It proves how much we are capable of as human beings, and it exposes shortfalls we have not worked on and solved. Our radar intensifies during hard times, and we will see, and freshly analyze and reconsider issues that were previously relegated to our someday/maybe wish lists before.
“When we talk about ‘getting back to normal,’ we need to rethink the effect of human encroachment on the natural habitats of other living creatures.” – @HawaiiDelilah commenting on the dolphins returning to Sardinian waters without the toxic polluting of ships and ferries. “Wow… Earth is recovering – Air pollution is slowing down – Water pollution is clearing up – Natural wildlife returning home… Coronavirus is Earth’s vaccine… We’re the virus.” – Thomas Schultz
In Work
When you don’t “have” to, you “get” to. The silver lining in my own 22 days at home and counting, has been the opportunity to work on my passion issues via more research, data collection and study. The mainstay of my work is value alignment, the role of the manager, and workplace culture-building as reflected in the 9 Key Concepts, whereas my passion issues include financial literacy, a living wage for all labor done, and the reconstruction of business models – I consider them the most pressing concepts within the ‘Ohana in Business® model;
As Steven Pinker has said, “If you’re committed to progress, you can’t very well claim to have it all figured out.” Like many of you right now, I do think about our loss of revenue as my husband and I learn to better appreciate our time at home together away from the work which normally pays our bills. Yet I must say I am loving the time I now have to work on my passion issues, and on other hot buttons!
(e.g. I fully agree with the caveats and conditions Senator Elizabeth Warren outlines here, when she says, “We’re not writing blank checks to giant corporations. Any taxpayer dollars that go to help big businesses during the coronavirus crisis should come with the following minimum requirements…”) What are your passion projects, and how might you be able to work on them right now? Suggested MWA Review on those shortfalls adversity tends to illuminate for us: Ho‘omau, the Value of Perseverance, and Ho‘omau; Love the one you’re with: “Love the one you’re with” is better coaching than “practice continuous improvement.” It sounds more intriguing, and well worth one’s effort. Yet the two phrases are the same, both framing an essential business practice; necessary reiteration, the constant tweaking to get ever better at whatever it is we do.
At Home
In one of the more recent governmental responses to the pandemic, comes the decision by the Trump administration to invoke the Defense Production Act to help make up for potential medical supply shortages and deploy two hospital ships as the US battles the coronavirus pandemic. As my at-home habits for the long haul evolve, my own thoughts have been on victory gardens:
“For the average American in World War II, the Victory Garden was a practical way to contribute to the war effort. Some 20 million Victory Gardens were planted (US population in 1940 was 132 million), and by 1943, these little plots produced 40 percent of all vegetables consumed in the US. It’s estimated that 9-10 million tons of vegetables were grown.” – Victory Gardens in World War II, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County
Yesterday morning for example, I was ready to pull out one of 3 eggplant shrubs still thriving in my garden after planting them last Fall – they are prolific producers, and there is only so much eggplant our family can eat. I fertilized, watered, and let them be, challenging myself to think more broadly instead – surely I can share them with more friends and neighbors.
My Auhili Garden is as far as I’m walking for exercise right now. We’ve planted tomatoes, turnips, radishes, snap peas and microgreens this week, all quick growers and high producers. Birds are nesting, gently (and noisily!) reminding us that life goes on and we must nurture it best we can.
This useful, calming advice, which I recommend it highly, comes from historian Shane Landrum, PhD;
“Start keeping a journal today, ideally a hand written one if that’s within your ability. Write about what you’re seeing in the news, how your family and friends are responding, what is closed in your neighborhood or city or state or country. Save it…Do it by hand, on paper. The hand-writing will adjust your brain. It will take you offline and out of the swirl of news and hopefully, for a moment, into a little bit of peace in the midst of crisis.” He explains; “I worked at a news organization on 9/11/2001, and I recognize the ways that my very online professional networks communicate in a time of global crisis. What’s going on this week is like that. The feeling in my gut about historical importance is nearly the same…Sometimes you know you’re living through an event that will be in the history books very large. I study the history of public health and information technology and law and politics. There’s so much going on that touches all of those things this week.”
Be a historian and an analog curator for you and for your family.
Mālama pono – take care of yourself. I’ll end with some coaching from fitness expert Brad Stulberg on Wellness—the kind that actually works. (Last I checked, the link to Outside Online was broken, however I captured his tips on this MWA blog post). Have a great week, we Ho‘ohana Kākou, Rosa
The term “these unprecedented times” should be copyrighted by now, don’t you think? Joking aside, the Hawaii Spa Association (Hi-Spa) hopes our members, friends and business partners are all safe and well and extends positive thoughts to you all. In recognition of the challenging circumstances we are currently facing, the Hi-Spa team would like to extend an invitation to everyone for a complimentary Hi-Spa membership through May 2021 (Note: Special credit acknowledgement will be made to those members who have already paid their 2020 membership.) The only qualification? Prospective members MUST have an active desire to promote the spa & wellness industry in Hawaii. This gesture by Hi-Spa is made to support our spa network and to promote the need for connection and alignment with each other during this time of separation and duress.
If you want to learn more about the memberships we offer and what they come with, navigate over to our Memberships page to see all the goodies that come with being a Hi-Spa Member.
What do all successful leaders have in common? They ask for help when they need it! Whether you need guidance on putting your plans together or added expertise to implement them, Hi-Spa’s next educational series leverages our collective industry experience through personalized sessions to help you achieve your goals. Participation is simple:
If you have a business goal you’d like to achieve, come and share it with the group, We’ll connect, collaborate, and support each other.
If you want to learn how to solve common industry challenges, e komo mai! Your Hi-Spa board and fellow association members are some of the most seasoned professionals in the industry.
If your purpose is to elevate Hawaii spa and wellness experiences, we need you. You have experiences to share that will help our collective solve individual and shared challenges.
If you just want to “talk spa”, hear views of other spa colleagues, and contribute your opinion in a roundtable discussion, this is for you too.
This limited series is available exclusively to Hi-Spa members. Our first session begins on November 5th, with subsequent sessions running weekly through November 19th. Additional sessions may be scheduled based on demand. Your attendance is welcomed and strongly encouraged, and we invite those seeking solutions to send questions to our board in advance of each weekly session at info@hawaiispaassociation.com. We hope to hear from you!
To attend the sessions, use the following information:
Join your fellow HI-Spa members and Board of Directors to welcome the new year and celebrate the possibilities ahead! This brief but memorable event promises high-energy…and a prize valued at $200 for two lucky winners (you must be present to win). Bring your favorite beverage, zoom background, and a festive mindset to toast your HI-Spa ohana.
This 2020 Gratitude event will be hosted on January 28th at 5:30pm for half an hour of casual festivities via Zoom. Those who attend the event will be entered into a raffle to win a single prize valued at $200. Two names will be drawn for the single prize, one spa operator and one spa vendor.
The benefits will be shared between the winners – the winning spa operator receives a $200 cash prize from HI-Spa that can only be redeemed from the winning vendor.
Find the Zoom invite details below, and we can’t wait to see you there!
